Sauk County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2014 ‐ 2019 Sauk County Parks Department 02/06/2014 Every five years the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan or CORP is updated and reviewed. As a component of this plan, a stakeholder group was assembled by the Highway and Parks Committee of the Sauk County Board of Supervisors to update the existing CORP. The public is then asked to review the updated CORP. The document will then be adopted at the March meeting of the Sauk County Board of Supervisors. 2013 Sauk County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 1.0 Introduction Parks and Open Spaces Well-managed parks and open spaces provide immeasurable benefits. They offer a variety of recreation opportunities that promote physical, social and emotional well-being. Parks and open spaces afford relief from urban stresses while providing areas for habitat protection and enhancement. In Sauk County, outdoor recreation is a major source of tourism income. Parks and open spaces have been, and continue to be part of our National, State and local heritage. Purpose of Plan The purpose of Sauk County’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) is to identify strengths and needs of Sauk County’s parks, related facilities and outdoor recreation opportunities. Sauk County’s CORP is further intended to maintain County eligibility to apply for and receive grants and aid money. The CORP analysis is the foundation for acquisition and development of outdoor parks and recreational facilities that are to be designated for public use. The Sauk County CORP can be more than just a useful tool for the Sauk County Parks and Recreation Department as well as other municipalities. It offers a vision for the future, sets the course for the recreational future our grandchildren will inherit, and identifies the means to achieve these objectives. Sauk County’s Park and Recreation Department Mission “It is the mission of the Sauk County Parks and Recreation Department to acquire, develop, protect and maintain our parks and facilities for all citizens and to provide outdoor recreational opportunities that contribute to the well being of individuals and families.” Overview of the Plan and the Planning Process The most recent CORP was completed in 2008. This 2013 Plan includes a review of 2008 CORP to monitor progress (See Section 2.3). The Wisconsin Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), the Wisconsin Land Legacy Report and other pertinent planning processes and plans will be recognized and incorporated. An update of the natural and cultural resources, parks and recreation inventories and analysis of municipal, county, state and federal lands follows. Goals, objectives and policies have been developed based on the inventory and analysis, and the public participation process. Local public input came from a meeting of a Recreational Stakeholder Advisory Committee appointed by the Sauk County Highway and Parks Committee, the Sauk County Board of Supervisors oversight committee for the Parks and Recreation Department. The Advisory Committee, comprised of citizens from throughout the county who represent a wide variety outdoor recreation interests. They reviewed the goals and policies of the previous CORP to refine issues and oversee the development of the Plan document. Adopted by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors November 11, 2008 1 2013 Sauk County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 1.1 The CORP Vision The CORP Advisory Committee developed a vision statement, goals, objectives and policies. A vision statement identifies how the various outdoor recreation components will look, function and connect. This vision serves a grounding point for future decisions. The Vision Statement approved by the Committee for the 2013 Sauk County Comprehensive Outdoor Plan is displayed below. CORP Vision Statement: Sauk County’s citizens and visitors will enjoy a broad range of affordable and accessible recreational opportunities that reflect a diversity of outdoor interests and experiences, which are enhanced by a network of regional connections between natural, agricultural and cultural resources. Outdoor recreational opportunities will be characterized by robust public and private partnerships that embrace careful stewardship of parks, forests, open spaces, cultural features and natural areas to enhance Sauk County’s position as a destination for eco-tourism in Wisconsin and beyond. Adopted by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors November 11, 2008 2 2013 Sauk County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 1.2 Goals, Objectives and Policies Using the vision statement, resource inventories and the public survey responses, the Advisory Committee developed a set of Goals, Objectives, and Policies. Goals are broad, advisory statements that express general public priorities about how the County should approach the development, maintenance and preservation of outdoor recreation opportunities and facilities. Goals are based on key issues and opportunities. The Committee identified the following preliminary goal statements early in the planning process: PRELIMINARY GOAL STATEMENTS 1. View public land as an asset 2. Develop support for increased funding 3. Identify needs & promote acquisition of additional park space 4. Promote partnerships for funding, development and management 5. Identify use trends and provide facilities as needed 6. Actively promote educational programs and seminars to enhance/cultivate awareness and enjoyment 7. Encourage use of “Green Building”, low impact development 8. Promote Natural Resources stewardship 9. Inform public about their role in preserving/protecting Natural and Recreational resources 10. Less trash in parks 11. More recreational opportunities 12. Quality recreational resources 13. Connectivity 14. Expanded use of Baraboo and Wisconsin Rivers 15. Reach critical mass of green business 16. Quantify economic impact of natural resources and recreation Through its subsequent meetings, the Committee refined these statements into a more manageable set of Goals, each prefaced by a Finding of current conditions and supported by specific Objectives and Policy Recommendations, both for the Parks Department operations in general and for the specific County parks and recreation properties. The Committee defined the term “Objectives” as referring to future directions that are more specific than goals. Objectives should be measurable, but that is sometimes not easy to do. However, objectives are intended to be attainable through policies and implementation activities. Finally, “Policies” are defined as the rules, courses of action or programs used to ensure Plan implementation and to accomplish the Goals and Objectives. The complete breakdown of Goals, Objectives and Policies for the 2013 County Outdoor Recreation Plan are described in the following pages. Adopted by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors November 11, 2008 3 2013 Sauk County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 1.2.1 Parks and Recreation Program Goals, Objectives and Recommendations Goal #1: Preserve and enhance the recreational lands and facilities that we currently have and continue to expand outdoor recreational resources available for citizens and visitors as both populations continue to grow. Finding: Sauk County currently enjoys an array of high quality recreational resources and facilities. Normal wear and tear will take their toll on these properties even under current use levels. Sauk County’s population is expected to increase over the next twenty years, as is the number of visitors to Sauk County. Demand for additional types of recreational opportunities reflects evolving demographic and societal trends as populations age and recreational interests change. These factors will significantly intensify the pressures on existing facilities, and create demand for new ones. Objectives: 1. Ensure that outdoor recreational opportunities are accessible and affordable for people of all financial means and physical abilities. 2. Incorporate diversity into park activities and become adaptable to new recreational trends. 3. Enhance inter-connectivity of parks, open spaces and trails throughout Sauk County, with special emphasis on linking major recreational properties such as the 400 Trail, the Ice Age Trail, State and County Parks and public lands, the Badger Army Ammunition Plant, the Upper and Lower Wisconsin River corridor and the Baraboo River corridor. 4. Support the development of existing and new public and private facilities that contribute to and enhance the public recreational resources available in Sauk County. 5. View public lands and their current and potential uses as an asset to Sauk County. Recommendations: 1. Utilize this CORP assessment of needs and uses of parks and open space facilities and other county-owned lands to address identify unmet location needs, develop new recreational use opportunities and effectively coordinate their creation. 2. Work collaboratively with other partners to plan for and improve recreational opportunities, such as trail connections, using local comprehensive plans and the County comprehensive plan. 3. When zoning/development applications are made for the creation or expansion of recreational facilities, notice shall be made of such application and any pending public hearings to the Sauk County Parks and Recreation Department for review and input. 4. Staff shall stay current with trends through active participation in WPRA and by attending conferences, workshops and regional meetings. Adopted by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors November